Top Italian volleyball star, 18, plunges to death from 6th floor hotel window hours after her team lost semifinal in Turkey
- Julia Ituma was found dead in her team’s hotel in Istanbul on Thursday morning
- The rising star and ‘next big thing’ in volleyball played for the Italian Igor Novara
An 18-year-old Italian volleyball star has died after falling from the window of her hotel just hours after her team was eliminated in the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Julia Ituma was found dead at her hotel in Istanbul, Turkey, on Thursday morning after the loss of her team.
According to reports, Ituma had fallen out of the window of her sixth-floor room at the Vally Hotel, which she believed she shared with a teammate. Exact details have not yet been confirmed.
The rising star and next big thing in volleyball represented her team Igor Gorgonzola Novara in their knockout match against Turkish Eczacibasi Dynavit Istanbul, where she scored two points.
The Italian consulate in Turkey said they were working closely with officials in the country and providing support to Ituma’s family.
Julia Ituma was found dead in her hotel in Istanbul, Turkey, on Thursday morning
Julia Ituma is pictured on the left in the CEV Champions League Women volleyball match between Igor Gorgonzola Novara and Eczacibasi Dynavit Istanbul
Ituma was found motionless on the ground outside the Valley Hotel around 5:30 a.m. Thursday, according to reports from CNN Turk. Paramedics and emergency responders arrived at the scene a short time later and she was pronounced dead.
Local police confirmed that they have launched an investigation into the incident. Her body has since been sent for forensic examination to determine the cause of the tragic death.
Ituma was born in Milan to Nigerian parents.
In a statement on the club’s website, Ituma’s side said: “Igor Volley communicates with deep pain and emotion the untimely death of Italian volleyball player Julia Ituma.
“The tragedy is believed to have happened in the early hours of the day and Turkish police are investigating the dynamics of what happened.
“Igor Volley would like to all express his condolences and share in the pain of Julia’s family and loved ones. The club and all its members, heartbroken by the loss, will respectfully keep silent about it.”
Eczacibasi, the team Ituma faced yesterday, also issued a statement: “Our club and players are deeply saddened by the tragic news of the sudden death of Igor Gorgonzola player Julia Ituma. We extend our condolences to the family of our beloved Julia, the Novara family and the volleyball community. Rest in peace Julia.’
Former national coach Mauro Berruto reacted to the heartbreaking news on Twitter. He wrote: ‘I am shocked by the tragic passing of Julia Ituma, an 18-year-old volleyball player from Igor Novara. My hug to the family, to the club, to the whole great community of Italian volleyball.
According to reports, Ituma and the Igor Gorgonzola Novara team were staying at the Volley Hotel in Istanbul, near where they had played the previous day at Burhan Felek Sports Hall
Before her tragic death, Julia Ituma was considered a rising star and the ‘next big thing’ in volleyball
This is an evolving story. Check back for updates…